California DMV · Class C · Based on the 2025 California Driver’s Handbook
California DMV Road Signs Practice Questions (2026)
The California DMV test checks whether you can recognize a sign by its shape and color and know exactly what it requires you to do. The key rule: at a STOP sign you must make a full stop at the limit line, before the crosswalk, or before the intersection, and check traffic in all directions before going.
Free practice questions
1When stopping at an intersection with a stop sign, where should your vehicle come to a stop?
- A After crossing over the marked crosswalk lines.
- B At a point where you can clearly see oncoming vehicles from both sides.
- C Before the marked crosswalk line.
- D 25 feet away from the physical stop sign.
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: C — Correct. Per the handbook, at a STOP sign you must stop completely before entering the crosswalk or at the limit line; if there is no limit line or crosswalk, stop before entering the intersection.
Why the other options are wrong
- A Incorrect. Stopping past the crosswalk lines intrudes on pedestrians' crossing space and violates the rule to stop before entering the crosswalk.
- B Incorrect. A spot where you can clearly see traffic from both sides is often past the limit line or crosswalk; first stop completely before the line, then creep forward to look.
- D Incorrect. The handbook has no "25 feet from the STOP sign" rule; where you stop is determined by the limit line or crosswalk.
Handbook: §7 Stop signs (STOP)
2If you see orange construction signs and cones on a highway, you must:
- A Slow down because the lane ends ahead
- B Be prepared to yield to workers and equipment ahead
- C Change lanes and maintain your current speed
- D Come to a complete stop until a worker flags you through
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: B — Correct. The handbook says to slow down in work zones, allow extra space, be ready to slow or stop for highway equipment, and follow directions from flaggers and other workers.
Why the other options are wrong
- A Incorrect. Orange signs mean construction ahead, not necessarily a lane ending. The handbook says to slow down and be ready to yield to workers and equipment.
- C Incorrect. The handbook requires you to slow down through work zones; you cannot just change lanes and keep your current speed.
- D Incorrect. Stop only when a flagger or sign tells you to. Without such directions, slow down and proceed carefully; stopping for no reason can cause rear-end collisions.
Handbook: §7 Road workers & work zones
3This shape of orange sign (a triangle with its three corners cut off / an obtuse equilateral triangle) indicates:
- A Motor vehicles have absolute priority on the road ahead
- B A slow-moving vehicle (typically traveling at speeds below 25 miles per hour)
- C A sudden, severe hazard in traffic ahead requiring emergency evasion
- D The area is a construction zone, and you must follow an escort vehicle
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: B — Correct. The handbook explains that slow-moving vehicles (such as road maintenance vehicles) display an orange-red triangle on the back and usually travel at 25 mph or less.
Why the other options are wrong
- A Incorrect. This sign warns drivers behind that the vehicle ahead is very slow; it does not give that vehicle absolute priority.
- C Incorrect. Sudden hazards are indicated by yellow diamond warning signs or orange construction signs, not this cut-corner triangle.
- D Incorrect. Construction zone signs are orange diamonds or rectangles, and there is no general rule that you must follow an escort vehicle.
Handbook: §7 Slow-moving vehicles
Practice all 72 Road signs questions
The full bank has 1,000+ questions across 15 topics, each explained option by option and available in 8 languages beside the original English.
What you need to know
- STOP sign: make a full stop at the limit line or before entering the crosswalk; if there is no limit line or crosswalk, stop before entering the intersection, then check traffic in all directions. §7
- Red YIELD sign: slow down and be ready to stop to let any vehicle, bicyclist, or pedestrian pass before you proceed. §7
- Red and white regulatory signs must be followed exactly; for example, DO NOT ENTER means do not enter the road or ramp where the sign is posted. §7
- If you see DO NOT ENTER or WRONG WAY signs, you are driving against traffic: back out or turn around when it is safe. At night, road reflectors shining red in your headlights mean you are going the wrong way. §7
- A red circle with a red line through it means the action pictured inside is not allowed. §7
- A yellow and black circular sign or an X-shaped sign means a railroad crossing is ahead: look, listen, slow down, prepare to stop, and let any trains pass. §7
- A 5-sided sign means you are near a school: drive slowly and stop for children in the crosswalk. A diamond-shaped sign warns of specific road conditions and dangers ahead. §7
- A diamond-shaped sign on a truck means its load may be dangerous (gas, explosives, etc.); these vehicles must stop before crossing railroad tracks. §7
Common traps on the test
- Choosing an answer that says you only need to obey warning signs of certain colors — the handbook says to obey all warning signs regardless of their shape or color.
- Treating a YIELD sign like a STOP sign — a YIELD sign requires you to slow down and be ready to stop, not always to come to a full stop.
- Mixing up the 5-sided school sign with the diamond-shaped warning sign, or the X-shaped railroad sign with other warning signs.
FAQ
What does a 5-sided sign mean in California?
A 5-sided sign means you are near a school. Drive slowly and stop for children in the crosswalk.
What should you do if you see a WRONG WAY sign?
You have entered a roadway against traffic. When it is safe, back out or turn around; at night, red reflectors in your headlights are another sign you are going the wrong way.